The tragic death of a schoolboy this week is being linked to flu. Public Health England has confirmed a Year 5 pupil at school in the Exeter area has passed away and he tested positive for the virus.

It is believed he died this week at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital after being diagnosed with the illness. Aged nine, he would not have been eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine.

Flu virus

Dr Bayad Nozad, consultant in health protection for Public Health England (PHE) South West, said: “We are aware of the very sad death of a young person who was confirmed to have had influenza infection.

“Our thoughts are with the family at this tragic time. The exact cause of death is yet to be established, therefore we are not yet able to comment on whether flu was the cause of death.”

Three times as many people died of flu last week in the UK compared with the same time last year, with the death toll nationally since October now at 155, figures show.

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The headteacher said: “At this time of unimaginable loss our love, thoughts and prayers are with his family – your special little boy brought so much to our school and it is so very sad that he is no longer with us.

“He always had a real hunger to learn and a desire to do well. He was well liked by children and adults – he had a good group of friends and really enjoyed laughing and playing with them.

“He was gifted academically, particularly in maths where he excelled and, even though he was only in Year 5, he was learning alongside the Year 6 class.

“We will all miss him so very much in so many ways.”

Colds and Flu are a very common illness

Following the shocking news of his death, the school decided to postpone its Friday celebration assemblies and hot chocolate treats until next week.

Instead today it is having a quiet time of reflection for Year 5 and 6, to pay tribute to the boy, and is looking to hold a memorial service at a later date.

In the meantime it has opened a book of thoughts, prayers and remembrance.

DevonLive.com has spoken to the boy's family and is respecting their wish for him not to be named at this time.

The school says it has a team of professionals from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and the Educational Psychology Service who are working with staff and children to provide support.

It added it will be contacting Balloons, a bereavement charity, to find out if it can access individual support for those children who might need extra help.

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Free flu vaccines are currently available to children born between September 1, 2013 and August 31, 2015; children in reception class and school years 1, 2, 3 and 4; in some parts of the country, all primary school-aged children will be offered the vaccine (following a pilot in some areas), and children aged 2 to 17 with long-term health conditions.

PHE has said that although flu levels are higher than last year, it has not reached epidemic levels and surveillance data shows.

However, it has reminded people flu can have severe consequences, even in previously healthy people.

Professor Paul Cosford, PHE medical director, said: “Our data continues to show that more people are visiting GPs with flu symptoms and we are seeing more people admitted to hospital with flu.

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“In terms of hospital admission, this is the most significant flu season since the winter of 2010/11 and the preceding pandemic year of 2009 although it is not an epidemic.

“We are currently seeing a mix of flu types, including the A(H3N2) strain that circulated last winter in the UK and then in Australia. The A(H3N2) strain particularly affects older, more vulnerable age groups.

“The best form of protection against flu is to get the vaccine if you are eligible and to practice good respiratory and hand hygiene.”

Three times as many people died of flu last week, figures show

Three times as many people died of flu last week in the UK compared with the same time last year, with the death toll nationally since October now at 155, figures show.

Last week there was a big jump in the number of people hospitalised with the virus and further increases in the numbers being treated in critical care units or visiting a GP with flu-like symptoms, although Public Health England believes it has begun to plateau.

Across the UK last week 35 people died of flu – more than three times the 11 deaths recorded in the corresponding seven days last January. Similarly, the death toll since October is about treble the 53 that occurred in the same period last winter.

The toll is the highest it has been at this stage of winter since 2014-15.

The figures from Public Health England show that what it says is the worst flu outbreak since 2010-11 is affecting fewer adults but leaving growing numbers of children unwell.

Public Health England's community influenza surveillance shows there have been 231 new acute respiratory outbreaks in the past week, up from 216 in the previous week.

Of those 44 outbreaks were from schools. Another 163 were from care homes and 15 outbreaks were from hospitals. The remaining eight were reported from a mixture of settings categorised by Public Health as 'other'.

Advice From Public Health England

PHE has reminded parents that if your child has symptoms of influenza (not just a common cold), it is very important that they stay at home and do not attend school or mix with others outside the home until they have recovered.

Those who do not have symptoms of flu or have already had symptoms of flu but are now well can undertake their usual activities outside of the home as normal.